On the evening of November 8, 2025, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni addressed the nation from Mbale city, shedding light on the recent arrest and subsequent release of two Kenyan activists, Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo. Their detention, which lasted 38 days, has ignited a heated debate about freedom of expression, cross-border activism, and how East African governments handle political dissent.
According to New Vision, Museveni claimed that the two Kenyans were arrested on September 29, 2025, in Jinja district, Uganda, where they were attending the launch of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party manifesto ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general election. The NUP, led by opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi—better known as Bobi Wine—has been a focal point for opposition activities in recent years. Museveni alleged, “We got two Kenyans whom we arrested. They came and were working with (Robert) Kyagulanyi’s group - that they were experts in riots. So, they had come to train our people.”
The activists’ ordeal began when they were reportedly intercepted at a petrol station in Kaliro District, as reported by Radio Africa. Ugandan authorities detained them, with Museveni describing their time in custody as being “in the fridge for some days.” The president asserted that the activists were not mere observers but were actively advising the Ugandan opposition on strategies for street demonstrations and unrest. He insisted that their activities were part of coordinated efforts—allegedly backed by foreign groups—to destabilize Uganda.
After weeks of uncertainty and mounting pressure from human rights organizations, the two activists were released on November 7, 2025. They were handed over to Kenya’s High Commissioner in Uganda, Joash Maangi, and escorted to the Uganda-Kenya border at Busia district. The release came, according to Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei, after “sustained diplomatic engagement” with Ugandan authorities. Sing’oei announced, “Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo are free and on Kenyan territory. Late last night, after lengthy engagements, the two were released to our High Commissioner in Uganda.”
Their return was welcomed with relief and celebration among Kenyan activists and human rights defenders. Boniface Mwangi, a prominent human rights activist and presidential hopeful, publicly embraced their homecoming. “Later, welcomed home Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, free after 38 days,” Mwangi stated on X (formerly Twitter). He described their release as a relief and a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing freedom of expression and activism in the region.
Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), echoed these sentiments in a statement, saying, “We welcome the release of Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi last night in Busia after 38 days of their enforced disappearance.” Odhiambo emphasized the importance of regional solidarity and thanked the activists’ families, the Free Kenya Movement, human rights defenders, journalists, and the ministries of foreign affairs in both Kenya and Tanzania for their tireless campaigning. “We extend our appreciation to their families, Free Kenya movement colleagues, human rights defenders, journalists, the ministries of foreign affairs in Kenya and Tanzania, and all active citizens who have tirelessly campaigned for this moment,” she said. Odhiambo further expressed hope that the release would mark a turning point in protecting East Africans’ rights across the region: “Let this moment signal an important shift towards upholding the human rights of East Africans anywhere within the East African Community.”
The release of Njagi and Oyoo comes amid heightened scrutiny over how governments in the region treat activists, protesters, and opposition figures. Human rights organizations have raised alarms about what they describe as intimidation and unlawful detention of activists. Mwangi called for continued support for those who speak out on social and political issues, emphasizing that solidarity should transcend borders.
In his remarks, Museveni did not mince words regarding the Ugandan government's approach to dissent. He warned, “I must warn the ones misleading these children that they will end up badly… like when they had those riots on November 18, 2020 [saying] that ‘Kyagulanyi has been arrested, they will burn Kampala’; the army intervened and crushed them, some of the children died.” Museveni stressed that the government would “crush any Opposition group that dares to disturb the existing peace in Uganda.” He cited a recent incident near the Congo border, where ten assailants were killed and 30 others arrested after an attack on police barracks, as evidence of the government’s zero-tolerance stance.
The Ugandan leader also took aim at the country’s legal system, expressing satisfaction that courts were no longer granting bail to those accused of wrongdoing. “We no longer want this game: Somebody has done bad things then is given bail. It becomes like a game. And I am glad that even the courts are quite serious now. They no longer give bail to all these wrongdoers,” Museveni said.
Despite his hardline rhetoric, Museveni acknowledged that peaceful protest is permitted within certain boundaries. “If you are angry, you can demonstrate and go to Kololo to show you are not happy, but don’t attack anybody. Just show you don’t agree with what I’m doing. If you take over as a new government and you previously burnt everything, what will you take over?” he quipped, alluding to the importance of maintaining public order even during demonstrations.
Museveni further alleged that opposition groups in Uganda are often supported by foreign entities intent on sowing chaos. “They all have connections with foreign countries, foreign groups funding them. Foreigners are very worried about Uganda, which is moving very strongly, industries are growing, we don’t lack anything, we are now going to get our oil,” he remarked. He suggested that unnamed foreign groups have long sought to disrupt Uganda’s peace, referencing past attempts to incite unrest around major political events.
The controversy surrounding Njagi and Oyoo’s detention and release has underscored broader regional tensions around political activism and state security. While Ugandan authorities frame their actions as necessary for national stability, critics argue that such measures stifle legitimate dissent and threaten fundamental rights. The debate is far from settled, as East Africa’s political landscape continues to evolve and activists push for greater freedoms.
For now, the safe return of Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo is being hailed as a victory for regional solidarity and human rights advocacy—though the underlying issues that led to their detention remain unresolved. As East Africans watch closely, the episode stands as a stark reminder of both the risks and the resilience of those who dare to speak out.
